Synergy

Synergia

We cannot always achieve big goals on our own; joining with others can substantially magnify our efforts. Ask for support from those you trust. Relationships should add to your power and joy, never drain them. Be aware of those who are a drain on you and remove yourself from their company.

Greater than the pieces,

More than if we stand alone,

Magic, it is more than doubled,

More than flesh, more than bone.

Bring in a piece of you,

Add it to a piece of me.

We don’t just get double,

We get more than the power of three.

When Aradia was considering marrying the young king, she was reluctant to give up the freedom and power she had fought for and which were hers by birthright. She had passed the concepts of equality, freedom, and justice on to other women and would not abandon those values-even to be a queen. After taking some time to think through the king’s offer of marriage, however, Aradia was given a vision that brought her to this conclusion: If he was the man she thought him to be, he would take nothing from her-he would only add to her power synergistically. She agreed to marry the king, and indeed, together their synergistic rule benefitted the people of their kingdom.

Synergy can be defined as the interaction or cooperation of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Not only is synergy a scientific concept, it is also a key concept in witchcraft. Think of it like this: If I make a stew, I might include ingredients such as meat, carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, kale, onions, and herbs. Each of these are certainly valuable by themselves, but put together-and subjected to added liquid, heat, and cooking time-they will create something more delicious than if the ingredients were simply dropped into a pot together.

With intention and appropriate actions and conditions, the combined ingredients result in a stew that has an effect greater than the sum of its parts.

The same principles apply as much to creating haling potions as they do to making a stew!

Potion making is a stregonerian art. Whilst many view this art as just one more evil aspect of witchcraft-picturing the stereotypical image of a group of witches cackling around a cauldron at midnight-the truth is that most potions have been used for healing, vitality, or pleasure. Prior to the onset of Christianity across Europe, communities openly and happily consulted their local strega or magara for healing potions.

Here’s a synergistic bath potion for you to try-at midnight or any other time. It is based on ingredients mentioned in stories of Aradia:

Take one long piece of fresh lemon rind, two tablespoons of the best quality olive oil, a teaspoon of salt, a sprig of rosemary, some fresh rose or rose geranium petals. Grind all ingredients lightly with a mortar and pestle.

Add the mixture to a warm bath and allow it to steep for three minutes. Before entering the bath, stir the water clockwise with your hand, saying, “Diana, my mother, behold your loving child. I step into your healing waters knowing that your blessings will give me peace and beauty. Hail to you!”